A school of Buddhist sculptors *busshi
仏師 active from the late Heian period through the Edo period,
founded by Jouchou 定朝 (?-1057; see *Jouchouyou 定朝様) successor Kakujo 覚助. Kakujo set up a workshop *bussho
仏所 in Kyoto's Shichijou *shichijou
bussho 七条仏所, and his son Raijo 頼助 established a workshop in Koufukuji
興福寺, Nara, which became the headquarters of the Keiha. In the early Kamakura
period, Raijo was succeeded by Koukei 康慶 and Unkei
運慶 (?-1223), and the school became known as Keiha because of the frequent
use of the character 慶 kei in sculptors' names. The school was
then passed on to Unkei's six sons and their descendants. The success of
the Keiha began with major restoration work carried out in Koufukuji
and Toudaiji 東大寺, both damaged by fire in 1180. This work was supported
by the Kamakura government, who favored the Keiha because of their bold,
powerful sculptural style, and also because they lacked close links with
the Kyoto Imperial family, who supported the Kyoto schools *Enpa
円派 and *Inpa 院派. These factors
helped the Keiha again a dominant position in Buddhist sculpture making in
the Kamakura period. Its influence lasted until the Edo period.
Examples of its work include: the central Senju Kannon zazou 千手観音坐像 (1254)
and ten of the standing Kannonzou 観音像 in Rengeouin 蓮華王院 (Sanjuusangendou
三十三間堂) Kyoto, made by Unkei's eldest son Tankei 湛慶 (1173-1256); the Ryuutoukizou 竜燈鬼像 (1215) in Koufukuji Kondou 金堂 by Unkei's third son Kouben
康弁; and the Taisan'ou 太山王, Shirokuzou 司録像 and Shimyouzou 司命像 (1259) in Byakugouji
白毫寺, Nara, by Tankei's successor Kouen 康円. In the late 14c, the sculptor
Keiha to form an independent guild called *tsubai bussho 椿井仏所.